The mudLIBRARY was realized as a design-and-build project from July to December 2022. The initiators and partners were ArchiFair, the NGO Loatad – Library of Africa and the African Diaspora, the construction company Hive Earth, the Vienna University of Technology, and the community in Nsutam.
A place for education and encounters
The library is located in the middle of a school campus and is open to both students and the village community. Covering an area of around 300 m², the space has been designed to suit local lifestyles: in addition to open areas where much of life takes place outdoors, the building includes a library and reading room with suspended bookshelves and a separately accessible computer room.
Traditional building material, interpreted in a modern way
A key element of the project is the conscious decision to use rammed earth as the main building material. Earth construction is a traditional building method in Ghana. In the mudLIBRARY, this building material has been used in a contemporary form.
The building's supporting structure was constructed using reinforced concrete, which means that the clay walls remain unmixed and therefore fully recyclable. Timber trusses were used for the roof. Rammed earth helps regulate the interior temperature, particularly in tropical climates, and creates a balanced indoor climate.
To protect against moisture, the walls were given a waterproof base, and a projecting roof provides additional protection against direct rain. These structural measures ensure the durability of the clay construction under local climatic conditions.
Sustainability as a shared learning process
The mudLIBRARY represents not only a new educational space, but also a process of mutual learning. Traditional construction methods were refined, technical expertise was shared, and local resources were used responsibly.
The result is a building that combines architectural quality, functional requirements, and social responsibility—while demonstrating the potential of collaborative, sustainable building design.
Further information and insights can be found in our magazine communication: iC Company Magazine communication
